Determination of Optimal Vehicle Selection of Logistics Companies with AHP-ARAS Hybrid Method

One of the serious problems in the logistics sector is the failure to make mistakes that cause economic consequences in the bulk purchases of trucks which are the important elements of road transport. Logistics Businesses can make in place and right decisions by using multi-criteria decision-making methods in the face of similar decision problems. In this study; Logistics, transportation, criteria for purchasing of vehicles and information about the decision analysis methods ARAS (Additive Ratio Assesment) and AHP (Analytic hierarchy Proses) were given. In particular, the applicability and results of the scientific methods are emphasized in the decision of procurement of bulk vehicles by logistics companies. The study's logistic decision problem was analyzed using ARAS and AHP methods together. It can be used in different decision problems of other logistics companies by making a partial change in the alternatives and criteria of the created solution model. The model for the study was applied to the decision problem of purchasing bulk vehicles in a Georgia-based logistics company. Managers of the business as decision makers have been accepted. Criteria and alternatives have been identified by the managers, independently of each other by scoring these elements. As a result of analysis of related decision problem by AHP-ARAS hybrid method; A1 (Volvo) has become the preferred brand for bulk vehicle purchasing by the company in the first place. In addition, the analysis results are shared with the business

Development of an Entrepreneurial Small Business’ (Abler by Robomedika’s) Strategic Plan by Shortened Systematic Strategic Planning (SSP)—Case Study

As many sources exhort managers to “think strategically”, only a few addresses how to make this happen. Shortened Systematic Strategic Planning (SSP) consists of a pattern of step-wise procedure for straight-forward planning, and the fundamentals involved in any strategic planning project. The use of shortened SSP is more suitable for the development of strategic plans for small- and medium-size businesses. SSP has been applied to and tested on different businesses’ subject issue and has been generated by the composition of the cause-and-effect relations of them. The intention here is to provide a new perspective and benefit for the strategic planners by introducing this new systematic methodology and demonstrating its implementation on an entrepreneurial and new business called Abler. Accordingly, let shortened version of SSP easily understood and universally applied to any small- and medium-size businesses. You are guided how to identify in what circumstances you might use its specific tools and how to target them directly at achieving effective results. The data that are used in this case are fictitious and only help for this study. Though, the given case does not cover all the steps of a typical SSP and use all the recommended techniques, it still reflects the basics

Efficiency of Knowledge Inflow Structures: The Mediation Effect of Task Environment Analysis

Environmental uncertainty is increasing day by day in increasing competition conditions. Under the uncertainty, corporate executives are confronted with the problem of taking long-term strategic decisions that are both instantaneous and capable of maintaining their assets. Particularly under uncertainty, limited information and focusing on short term and near environment are the most important problems faced by the sustainability of today's companies.The aim of this study is to create a model where managers can create organizational structures that can turn environmental uncertainty into a risk by positively affecting organizational performance. As a result of the study, it has been observed that the institutions where the bottom-up and horizontal information flow structures are formed and the centralization levels are reduced have more detailed information in the sectoral framework and the organizational performance perceived in the context of innovation, quality and productivity has increased

Tumour suppressor PTEN enhanced enzyme activity of GPx, SOD and catalase by suppression of PI3K/AKT pathway in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Phosphates and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a tumour suppressor gene which dephosphorilates phosphoinositol 3,4,5 triphosphates. Therefore PTEN can regulate PI3K/AKT pathway in cells. Because of promoter methylation or gene deletion, PTEN expression is commonly decreased or lost in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Therefore, we hypothesized that PTEN could regulate the activity of superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase. We first recreated PTENwt, G129R and G129E expressions in lung cell lines, in which endogenous PTEN expression was not detected. Then, we showed that PTEN could suppress AKT activity by its lipid phosphatase domain. We then examined the effect of recreated PTEN expressions in NSCLC cells. While PTENwt expression caused enhanced activity of SOD, GPx and catalase in transfected cells lines, neither G129R nor G129E expression effected enzyme activities. These results suggest that PTEN can up-regulate SOD, GPx and catalase activity by inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathway in NSCLC cell lines. © 2013 Informa UK, Ltd

Tourism and Economic Growth: The case of Next 11 Countries

The aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between tourism activity and economic growth for Next-11 countries. It is concluded that there is a long run relationship between tourist arrivals and GDP and tourism arrivals has positive effect on GDP growth in N-11 countries. We find that a unidirectional causality from economic growth to tourism is valid confirming Economic Driven Tourism Growth Hypothesis. Keywords: Tourism development; Economic growth; Causality; N-11 JEL Classifications: F43; L8

Evaluation of corrosion resistance of Co-Cr alloys fabricated with different metal laser sintering systems

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the specimens produced by five different commercial metal laser sintering (MLS) systems with their recommended Co-Cr alloy powders. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The MLS machines and the alloy powders used were, ProX 100-ST2724G (St-Pro), Mysint 100-EOS SP2 (SP2-Mys), EOSINT 270-EOS SP2 (SP2-EOS), SLM 100-Starbond CoS (SB-SLM), and MLab Cusing-Remanium® Star (RS-MLab), respectively. Eight specimens from each group were prepared. Open circuit potential (Eocp) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements of polished surfaces of the specimens were conducted in a three-electrode cell using a potentiostat-galvanostat in Fusayama-Meyer artificial saliva (AS). Specimens from each group were immersed in AS and de-ionized water for seven days. Eocp, charge transfer resistance (Rct) values, and released ions (?g/cm2 x 7d) in different solutions were determined. The specimen surfaces were observed with SEM/EDS. Results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS. Eocp values have shifted to potentials that are more positive over time. Steady-state Eocp values were from high to low as follows, SB-SLM, SP2-Mys, SP2-EOS, RS-MLab, and ST-Pro, respectively. After 60 mins, RS-MLab specimens had the highest Rct value, followed by SP2-Mys, SB-SLM, SP2-EOS, and ST-Pro. In all groups, ion release was higher in AS than that in de-ionized water. CONCLUSION. There were small differences among the corrosion resistances of the Co-Cr alloy specimens produced with MLS systems; meanwhile, the corrosion resistances were quite high for all specimens. © 2020 The Korean Academy of Prosthodontics

Evaluation of Relationship Between Mandibular Third Molars and Mandibular Canal: Comparison of Findings Obtained by Panoramic Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Statement of the problem: It is important for oral surgeons to determine the precise location of mandibular third molar before extraction. The close rela-tionship of mandibular canal and mandibular third molar is a risk factor for alveolar nerve damage. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between mandibular canal and the mandibular third molar which has already been seen in close relationship on panoramic radiograph (PR) by the compari-son of findings of the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the PR. Materials & Methods: Close relationship between the mandibular third molar and mandibular canal was scanned in 180 patients by the PR. Images were also obtained by CBCT from patients among which a close-relationship was detected between mandibular canal and mandibular third molar. Results: Close relationship was detected between mandibular third mo-lar and mandibular canal on 26 of 180 PR and evaluated 46 mandibular third molars. In 41 cases, both the findings in PR and in CBCT images showed comp-liance with each other. As a result it was clearly seen that the mandibular third molars which were detected to be in close relationship on PR were mostly also in close relationship with mandibular canal on CBCT-images. Conclusions: If the close relationship is not seen on the panoramic ima-ges then there is no need to get CBCT for extracting the mandibular third mo-lars. By this way complication risks are eliminated with less radiation. However CBCT should be definitely used in cases which complete assessment cannot be made in no way due to artifacts such as superposition in PR

Effects of rosmarinic acid on cognitive and biochemical alterations in ovariectomized rats treated with D-galactose

Introduction. Animal models designed to mimic certain features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can help us to in­crease our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease. Previous studies have revealed that long-term D-galactose injection combined with ovariectomy results in pathophysiologic alterations associated with AD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) administration on pathological changes associated with ovariectomy and D-galactose injection, which serve as a two-insult model for AD. Material and methods. One hundred female Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups: control (C), Sham (Sh), rosmarinic acid treated (R), ovariectomized rats treated with D-galactose (OD), ovariectomized rats treated with D-galactose and rosmarinic acid (ODR) groups. D-galactose (80 mg/kg/day) was administered by i.p. injection and RA (50 mg/kg/day) was given via gavage for 60 days. Open field and Y-maze tests were used to assess locomotor activity and short-term spatial memory, respectively. Biochemical and histopathological analyses of the brain tissue were performed. Results. Open field testing showed that the locomotor activity and exploratory behavior of rats were prominent­ly impaired in the OD group as compared to the other studied groups. Similarly, Y-maze test results revealed a decrease of short-term spatial memory in the OD rats. A concomitant treatment with RA significantly restored altered locomotor activity and cognitive functions in the ODR group. Lipid peroxidation levels, cyclooxygen­ase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 levels in the brain tissue were higher in the OD group and RA treatment inhibited these changes. AD-like histopathological alterations and amyloid b peptide (Ab) depositions were observed in the OD group. Normal cell structure and lower Ab depositions were observed in the ODR group compared with the OD group. Conclusions. RA could have the potential to prevent some psychological and biochemical alterations of brain tissue found in a rat model of AD probably by attenuating lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response

Beneficial effects of melatonin and BQ-123 on the rat testis damage caused by cigarette smoke

Background/aim: Several studies have demonstrated that cigarette smoke has detrimental effects on testicular function. However, it is unknown whether melatonin or BQ-123 has beneficial effects on the rat testis damage caused by cigarette smoke. The aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of melatonin or BQ-123 on the testicular damage caused by cigarette smoke. Materials and methods: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control group (n = 5), cigarette smoke group (n = 5), melatonin group (n = 5), and BQ-123 group (n = 5). At the end of 4 weeks, all the rats were sacrificed for histopathological evaluation and subsequent stereological analysis. The optical fractionator counting method, the most efficient and unbiased method, was used to estimate the total number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Results: All the control testes demonstrated complete spermatogenesis. There was a significant decrease in the germ cells of rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 4 weeks. After the application of melatonin or BQ-123, the total number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testes was significantly higher. Conclusion: Based on these findings, melatonin and BQ-123 are able to minimize the degenerative effects of cigarette smoke by increasing the germ cell count.Gaziosmanpasa University Research FundGaziosmanpasa University [2006/19]This study was supported by Gaziosmanpasa University Research Fund Project no. 2006/19. We thank Dr Bahadir Ungor (rest in peace) for all his assistance